QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4A (Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa) First Visit to Mackay Airport on a Diversion - Plus More!

On Friday 26 June, QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4A was flying from Brisbane to Hamilton Island Airport as QLK1592 but was unable to land there and diverted to Mackay Airport - the first ever visit by an Airbus A220 into Mackay Airport.

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It later continued from Mackay Airport to Hamo as QLK1592 and then returned to Brisbane as per normal, albeit a little late!

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-Q200 VH-TQX was noted operating the SKP85/6 service to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Cairns. A rare visit!

While Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-EJT flew across from Alpha Aerodrome to Emerald Airport. It looked to earlier fly up from Warwick.

And Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Cessna 172 VH-MAO and Gippsland GA-8 Airvan VH-MFI departed Longreach Airport for Richmond and Mareeba.  It looks like they had arrived into Longreach Airport on Wednesday 24 June from Barkley Downs and Mount Isa.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 25 June, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGF was heading up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport but half way it turned back to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 June, VH-EGF landed at Emerald Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Cairns. 

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Thursday 25 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 61" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a touch-and-go at Rockhampton Airport before returning down to Amberley for more.

Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopter N52-103 as "Warhorse 33" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Oakey and this afternoon departed back to there but as "Warhorse 34".

Photo taken by Bernie Proctor  ©

New Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VF First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport - UPDATED!

On Friday 26 June, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VF was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport. It operated as VOZ601/604 from and back to Brisbane.

Photo updated!

VH-8VF was delivered into Brisbane from the USA only last weekend. It then entered service only two days ago on Wednesday 24 June.

The aircraft was named 'Binalong Bay' and is the 20th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Jetstar Airways Airbus Airbus A321-251NX (A321neo) VH-OFS First Visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Thursday 25 June, Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX (A321neo) VH-OFS made its first visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST832/3 from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

VH-OFS was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Hamburg in Germany in March 2023 and entered service later in that month.

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 61" Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 as "Envoy 61" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed back to there.

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While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 55" landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed to Coffs Harbour.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Sunshine Coast. Later, VH-PIY again as "Machflight 41" flew up to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

And GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown

UPDATE!  On Thursday 25 June, VH-IEQ "Navair 161" departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Bankstown.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

New Zealand Aerospace (Pacific Aerospace) CT/4A Airtrainer VH-APV (ex RAAF A19-074) Passes Through Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 23 June, New Zealand Aerospace (Pacific Aerospace) CT/4A Airtrainer VH-APV flew into Emerald Airport from Mareeba. It was spotted at Cairns yesterday. Of interest, VH-APV previously flew with the RAAF as A19-074.

And Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCI as "Careflight 26" landed at Longreach Airport from Darwin and then departed to Toowoomba.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB Diverts into Rockhampton Airport with Hydraulic Problem - Plus More!

On Monday 22 June, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as JTE342 flying up from Brisbane to Moranbah Airport but after holding due to low cloud there, then diverted to Rockhampton Airport with a reported hydraulic problem on the left side. It landed safely with the local fire trucks on standby and they followed it from touchdown to the Bay. Later the aircraft was towed to the Alliance Airlines Hanger.

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During the afternoon National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QA as JTE504 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Moranbah Airport as JTE342 before returning to Brisbane as JTE505.  Fellow NJE Dash-8-Q400 VH-IYK also completed a run to Moranbah Airport from and back to Brisbane as JTE352/3.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-8QB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane as JTE505.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 22 June, re-registered SHM Aviation P/L / LifeFlight Commercial Ltd Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3+ VH-SHM visited Maryborough Airport from Archerfield.

Of interest VH-SHM was previously registered as VH-TCS and was re-registered across March and April this year.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-SHM visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC had a busy day, flying up to Blackall Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports before then returning to Archerfield.  It then departed to Dubbo before returning to Blackall Airport and then flying back to Archerfield. 

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-JSZ departed Clermont Aerodrome to Natal Downs and then down to Dalby and Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport before later reversing the flight.

And Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield.

Plus LifeFlight Agusta A109SP helicopter VH-XNR was noted flying out of Maryborough Airport.

Finally, over the weekend on Saturday 20 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 06" visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It also visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast on Friday 19 June. 

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" visited Roma Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

New QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4L Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Hamilton Island Airport - UPDATED!

On Friday 19 June, QantasLink (National Jet Systems) brand spanking new Airbus A220-300 VH-X4L made its first visit into Central Queensland visiting Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Brisbane as QLK1592/3.

Photo updated!

VH-X4L is the 12th A220-300 to be delivered to National Jet Systems at Canberra after it ferried across from Airbus Canada at Montreal Mirabel at the end of last month.  It entered service with Qantas / QantasLink just over a fortnight ago.

Continuing the theme of the A220s being named after native Australian wildlife, VH-X4L wears the name 'Blue Tongue Lizard'.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-JSO Calls into Rolleston Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 18 June, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Rolleston Aerodrome from Canberra and the Sunshine Coast. 

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UPDATE!  On Friday 19 June, Citation VH-JSO departed Rolleston Aerodrome for Emerald Airport and then back down to Canberra.

While Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVY as 'AL416' / "Aerolink 416" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before it then departed to Horn Island as 'AL878'.  It later flew to Cairns and back to Brisbane as AL879/880.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchell 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete to a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport and then down to one at Tamworth and back to Williamtown. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 04" Does Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 17 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 04" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete four missed approaches at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned to Williamtown.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-670 as "Aussie 617" landed at Emerald Airport from RAAF Base East Sale and Canberra before it then departed to Townsville and then since started heading towards Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

And Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8DF (I'd love to say my personal ride!) visited Rolleston Aerodrome from Archerfield.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

A Pair of RAAF Super King Air Turboprops A32-651 & A32-988 Both Complete Airwork & Land at CQ Airports - UPDATED!

On Monday 15 June, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops were noted completing airwork and landing at some Central Queensland Airports.

A32-988 as "Hudson 14" and then A32-651 as "Hudson 07" both flew up from RAAF Base East Sale to Dubbo and then Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 June, A32-651 "Hudson 07" and A32-988 "Hudson 14" both departed Rockhampton Airport to Longreach Airport via an approach at Emerald Airport.  During the afternoon, both King Airs departed Longreach Airport for the Sunshine Coast via an approach at Roma Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 16 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-449 as "Trojan 55" flew up from RAAF Base Richmond to complete several approaches at Tamworth, one at RAAF Base Amberley, three at Rockhampton Airport, one at Townsville and then onwards to land at Cairns.

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©